Published: Friday, January 17, 2014 at 5:44 p.m.

Last Modified: Friday, January 17, 2014 at 5:44 p.m.

Sixteen-year-old Corban Hossley grinned in a red Balfour Education Center sweatshirt Friday afternoon, clutching a certificate of completion that gives him a leg up on his peers. When the East Henderson High junior turns 18, he'll be certified as a level II firefighter in the state.

Hossley was one of 14 career-ready cadets to graduate as the first inaugural class of Balfour Education Center's Fire Fighter Academy. The graduates were the first to complete the public safety and fire technology course offered through Henderson County Public Schools' Career and Technical Education program.

The one-year course, which began last January, allowed cadets to complete 19 out of 20 courses needed to obtain certification as a level II firefighter, with transferable college credits. The accomplishment is something most firefighters can't begin to work on until their 18th birthday — an age requirement needed to begin the level I/level II course at the Henderson County Fire Academy.

When Hossley turns 18, his certificate will be waiting for him, thanks to the school system's free program at Balfour.

“I'm ready to get done, but I'm going to miss it,” Hossley said after commencement Friday. He plans to take fire protection technology next semester.

Hossley is a third-generation firefighter, eager to trace his family's footsteps into a long tradition of service. He started as a junior firefighter with Dana Fire & Rescue when he was 14.

“I've been around it my whole life,” he said. “This is something I've always wanted to do.”

His father, Matthew Hossley, is a battalion chief at Valley Hill Fire & Rescue. He smiled from the sidelines Friday, watching his son receive a certificate he himself earned years ago.

Corban Hossley's uncle volunteers for Edneyville Fire & Rescue and his grandfather was named a lifetime member of Green River Volunteer Fire & Rescue.

Six of the 14 graduates Friday were members of fire departments throughout Henderson County.

Spencer McMinn, 17, who finished the last of his required course credits in high school this month, has been in the fire service four years, starting as a junior firefighter with Etowah-Horse Shoe Volunteer Fire & Rescue.

He wanted to join the fire service “to make a difference,” he said. “I enjoy helping people.”

McMinn is another third-generation firefighter. His father is a first lieutenant at Etowah. His late great-grandfather and great-uncle are lifetime members of the department.

Fire Fighter Academy Chief Ted Barnett said they received support from the entire county, including the Henderson County Fire & Rescue Association, which gained a new member in Balfour's Fire Fighter Academy.

During the class, students trained in turnout gear and strapped on air tanks to get a feel for the protective equipment that adds 40 pounds to a person's weight; used blindfolds to get a feel for the darkness or smoke-filled environments that may one day obscure their vision; climbed ladders to heights soaring close to 100 feet and learned how to escape a roof descending a ladder head-first; and toured emergency centers, including the county fire marshal's office and 911 Communications Center.

“I enjoyed it,” McMinn said, adding that he plans to start hazmat and college courses next semester and work with emergency services until he obtains certification as an emergency medical technician.

McMinn is the son of Angela and Brian McMinn of Etowah. Hossley is the son of Matthew and Dara Hossley of Dana.

<p>Sixteen-year-old Corban Hossley grinned in a red Balfour Education Center sweatshirt Friday afternoon, clutching a certificate of completion that gives him a leg up on his peers. When the East Henderson High junior turns 18, he'll be certified as a level II firefighter in the state.</p><p>Hossley was one of 14 career-ready cadets to graduate as the first inaugural class of Balfour Education Center's Fire Fighter Academy. The graduates were the first to complete the public safety and fire technology course offered through Henderson County Public Schools' Career and Technical Education program.</p><p>The one-year course, which began last January, allowed cadets to complete 19 out of 20 courses needed to obtain certification as a level II firefighter, with transferable college credits. The accomplishment is something most firefighters can't begin to work on until their 18th birthday — an age requirement needed to begin the level I/level II course at the Henderson County Fire Academy.</p><p>When Hossley turns 18, his certificate will be waiting for him, thanks to the school system's free program at Balfour.</p><p>“I'm ready to get done, but I'm going to miss it,” Hossley said after commencement Friday. He plans to take fire protection technology next semester.</p><p>Hossley is a third-generation firefighter, eager to trace his family's footsteps into a long tradition of service. He started as a junior firefighter with Dana Fire & Rescue when he was 14. </p><p>“I've been around it my whole life,” he said. “This is something I've always wanted to do.”</p><p>His father, Matthew Hossley, is a battalion chief at Valley Hill Fire & Rescue. He smiled from the sidelines Friday, watching his son receive a certificate he himself earned years ago. </p><p>Corban Hossley's uncle volunteers for Edneyville Fire & Rescue and his grandfather was named a lifetime member of Green River Volunteer Fire & Rescue.</p><p>Six of the 14 graduates Friday were members of fire departments throughout Henderson County.</p><p>Spencer McMinn, 17, who finished the last of his required course credits in high school this month, has been in the fire service four years, starting as a junior firefighter with Etowah-Horse Shoe Volunteer Fire & Rescue.</p><p>He wanted to join the fire service “to make a difference,” he said. “I enjoy helping people.”</p><p>McMinn is another third-generation firefighter. His father is a first lieutenant at Etowah. His late great-grandfather and great-uncle are lifetime members of the department.</p><p>Mountain Home Fire & Rescue, Hendersonville Fire Department and Valley Hill Fire & Rescue sponsored the class providing turnout gear, equipment and other materials to aid the cadets in training.</p><p>Fire Fighter Academy Chief Ted Barnett said they received support from the entire county, including the Henderson County Fire & Rescue Association, which gained a new member in Balfour's Fire Fighter Academy.</p><p>During the class, students trained in turnout gear and strapped on air tanks to get a feel for the protective equipment that adds 40 pounds to a person's weight; used blindfolds to get a feel for the darkness or smoke-filled environments that may one day obscure their vision; climbed ladders to heights soaring close to 100 feet and learned how to escape a roof descending a ladder head-first; and toured emergency centers, including the county fire marshal's office and 911 Communications Center.</p><p>“I enjoyed it,” McMinn said, adding that he plans to start hazmat and college courses next semester and work with emergency services until he obtains certification as an emergency medical technician.</p><p>McMinn is the son of Angela and Brian McMinn of Etowah. Hossley is the son of Matthew and Dara Hossley of Dana. </p><p>Reach Weaver at emily.weaver@blueridgenow.com or 828-694-7867.</p>